Showing posts with label kelty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kelty. Show all posts

Globe Skimmer Ultrlt Trp 10X12 Review

Globe Skimmer Ultrlt Trp 10X12It's a mixed blessing. I bought it instead of a one man tent, b/c I wanted:
to save weight
to save $
and I heard tarps are all the rage in ultralight backpacking nowadays.
I spent loads of time online researching various ways to set it up. Using 2 trekpoles, rigging as a tarp tent w/ one trekpole, rigging it between 2 trees using a paracord roofline. Foul weather rigging etc...

I've taken it out overnighting now 4 - 6 times. 1/2 of the time it withstood rain very well b/c I was able to rig it well. The other 1/2 of the time...I would not have wanted to be there if it was raining. I've also yet to encounter serious winds....this scares me, especially if you can't stake it well.

Sometimes it has taken me 1/2 hour ,or more ,to get it rigged well enough to feel confident in it. Sometimes I was able to do it in 5 -10 minutes. It all depends on how much room you have, are there boulders that prevent you from staking where you need to? Are the trees close enough? etc...if the soil is rocky, you better hope you have some trees...that's an argument for something w/ poles instead. At least you can set up a tent without stakes if you must...

So, it can be both fun/creative to set up, and be frustrating. Better hope it isn't raining and windy when it is time to set it up! And by the time I added some $15 mosquito netting and a $15 cheapo survival bivy bag/ground cloth, I was inching towards the weight and cost of a quality ultralight $$$ one man tent , quality bivy bag, or quality one man poncho tent. Had I had another $100 or more to spend, I would've gone w/ an ultralight $$$ one man tent, $$$ bivy or $$ poncho tent.

But , for the $ I saved at the time, and the brainpower I've used rigging it, it has been worth it.

Plus I've learned all kinds of new knots! Go to [...] for rigging and knot videos. Also youtube etowah8x10 tarp set up for the easiest fair weather tarptent . see adventure alan for more on ultralight backpacking.

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Product Description:
Manufactured from rugged, 1.9oz ripstop nylon with 3/4 urethane coating for water-proofness. Includes reinforced brass grommets, spread approximately every three feet and double stitched key seams. 10 by 12 feet.

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Sierra Designs Sirius 2 Person Three-Season Tent Review

Sierra Designs Sirius 2 Person Three-Season TentI've only used it once, but i was camping (in the sierras no less) during 2 days of hard rain. When I was cleaning up the site I noticed that I sizeable puddle had formed underneath my tent and very little water got inside. Very pleased overall with the tent.

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Product Description:
Two doors and plenty of mesh make the Sirius a great tent for stargazing, comfortable camping or long-distance backpacking. Single and double-wall construction reduces weight, while improving ventilation. Updated with the new Quick Pitch Swivel Hub to boost strength and minimize hassle.

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Kelty Noahs Tarp Review

Kelty Noahs TarpI am an avid canoe camper and have been using various sizes of Keltys' Noahs tarps for years. They are versatile and seemingly bulletproof. I have had my 12' model in winds in excess of 45MPH and it fared extremely well. This is an upgrade to a larger model for me- I normally set two tarps in addidtion to my tent, one as a kitchen and the other as a viewspace- this will take over kitchen duty.

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Product Description:
The Noah's Tarp is instant shade. This ultralight affordable shelter is handy to have aboard when you want weather protection in a hurry, whether you are traveling oer land or water. Handy for boating, camping, bacpacking and sporting events and festivels.

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Grand Trunk Funky Forest Tarps Review

Grand Trunk Funky Forest TarpsHave used several time easy to set up in diamond shape gives more than enough coverage very waterproof.

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Product Description:
The perfect stay-dry solution for those soggy nights in the wilderness, the Grand Trunk Funky Forest Tarp can be used in conjunction with your Grand Trunk Hammock. Use it independently for staying dry, or as a shelter from the sun. Use in the forest, at the beach, or in the backyard. Stuffs away for easy transport..

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Kelty Teton 2 Footprint Review

Kelty Teton 2 FootprintIt is exactly tailored to the special shape of the tent--having rings located at the four corners so that the tent's press-fit poles directly connect it to the tent itself--and works very well in protecting the floor of the actual tent as well as keeping it nice and dry.And because it was made to fit the Teton 2 specifically, the footprint is completely hidden once the tent is fully assembled.

While tarps are often used for the same purpose, they can be hard to manage being that they're often big, heavy, noisy and just dowright cumbersome.The footprint, however, is light, cleans and dries easily & quickly, and packs right along with the rest of the tent while in storage.I definitely made the right decision spending the extra $30 and would heavily recommend it to anyone even considering the Teton 2 as a tent purchase.

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Product Description:
The Kelty Teton 2 Footprint is a coated nylon tarp placed underneath your Kelty Teton 2 tent to protect its floor from abrasion and wear. A bit smaller than the tent floor, the Teton 2 Footprint is the perfect size to prevent pooling water during rainy weather.

Product Features

    Country of origin: China


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Kelty Grand Mesa 6 Footprint Review

Kelty Grand Mesa 6 FootprintSince the price is high, my expectation was that it would be thick and solid fabric. It is extremely thin which you feel all little rocks and cracks in the ground. It does not rip and appears to be strong but it is overpriced. I also have a similar size tarp that I purchased 9 years ago for $35 which offers much better protection and support.

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Product Description:
In the early 1950's, Dick Kelty made backpacks for his friends in the Sierra Club. Time and experience proved that hiking was more pleasurable when the hiker could carry heavy loads without shoulder pain. This was accomplished with Kelty's ideas of a hipbelt and light weight aluminum frames. A few of Kelty's popular items are backpacks, adjustable poles, rain covers for backpacks, camp pillows, fanny packs, a carport tent or shelter, Thermolite Quallo sleeping bags,and chuckwagon dog packs.

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Vargo Titanium Ultralight Small "Ascent" Tent Stake Review

Vargo Titanium Ultralight Small 'Ascent' Tent StakeJust got my stakes and they are awesome. Extremely light and strong, I'll be ordering more since the six in my pack are lighter then the extra two stakes that I keep in my pack.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Vargo Titanium Ultralight Small "Ascent" Tent Stake

Product Description:
The "Ascent" stake is a multi-season tent stake that has excellent hold in both soil or snow. Designed for versatility, the Ascent is lightweight yet remarkably strong. Size: 6.25" long. Weight: 10g

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Grand Mesa 6 FootPrint Review

Grand Mesa 6 FootPrintThis footprint is a worthwhile addition to the Kelty Tent. Only complaint is that it is slightly too small for the Grand Mesa Tent, it works, but should be a couple of inches bigger.

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Product Description:
Use the Grand Mesa 6 Tent Footprint to protect the bottom of your tent from hazards that could cause damage.

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Kelty Gunnison 2 Footprint Review

Kelty Gunnison 2 FootprintI just got back from a 3 day trip to the top of Mt Mitchell in NC. It rained the whole time, and temps were in the 40's F. and windy. The footprint is worth it's weight in silver! It worked great! Not a drop of rain got through my Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent and the foot print performed wonderfully. It really will save wear-and-tear on your tent. It's light. It fits perfectly. I wouldn't want to go without it.

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Product Description:
The Kelty Gunnison 2 Footprint is a coated nylon tarp placed underneath your Kelty Gunnison 2 tent to protect its floor from abrasion and wear. A bit smaller than the tent floor, the Gunnison 2 Footprint is the perfect size to prevent pooling water during rainy weather.

Product Features

    Material: Nylon taffeta
    Recommended Use: Tent floor protection from abrasion and wear
    Country of Origin: China


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Kelty Green River 6 Six Person Tent Review

Kelty Green River 6 Six Person TentI haven't gotten this out into the "wilds" yet, but I thought some observations out of the bag would be helpful to anyone looking for a large family tent. I purchased it so my family of four could have room to move around freely.

This tent, indeed, is large. Although rated for six people, you could easily get eight in there with room for the dog. There is no crouching or stooping in this tent, even near the sidewalls. It's like standing in your living room.

When erected, it looks like a big igloo and withstood several days of stiff March winds with no problem. The off-white color of the fly and body give the tent an even roomier and airier feel.

Contrary to what you can see in the on-line photos, the Green River 6 has lots of ventilation. The roof is almost entirely mesh, which is covered by the rainfly. It has no windows, other than one on the door, so you'll have to roll the rainfly off the roof on sticky nights.

The rainfly extends out from the door, creating a big vestibule that seems like it will be a cool place to hang out before bed or on rainy days. It's large enough for four to sit pretty comfortably.

Based on a backyard test, setup was straightforward, though definitely a two-person job because the tent is just so big.

Now for some nitpicks that may or may not become issues in the field.

I'm not crazy about the fiberglass poles. They tend to snag and come apart when inserting them in the pole sleeves. And the metal connecting-piece at the bottom of one pole fell off, leaving me wondering what I was supposed to use to insert over the stake ring. I found it and fixed the problem.

If the poles become an issue, I may just assemble my own aluminum poles.

A sprinkler test suggests the rainfly is watertight -- it shed water like a duck. But the fly does not cover the back seam. The fly cuts off about halfway up the back wall, apparently to assist in ventilation. One very small spot in the seam directly below this developed a little dripping after I soaked the area.

This seam, which connects the tent body and floor, is set up off the ground. But it's not a true bathtub seam, and should have been factory taped. As a precaution, I seam-sealed the entire perimeter. The floor has a taped seam down the middle which should not be a problem.

The door to the tent is half mesh and half fabric. There is no flap to zip up over the mesh part. The vestibule area covers the door, so privacy is not an issue but I wonder if drafts could be a problem in cooler weather.

The vestibule has fabric blinds that you can roll down to cover the screens. They only fasten with loops, leaving the blinds sagging somewhat.

Could this be a problem in rain? Maybe, but it is just a vestibule, after all. Still, I think Velcro would work better.(I may install my own Velcro strips at some point.)

When buying a tent, like anything else, you have to make tradeoffs and prioritize the things that are most important to you. If size, stability and a porch matter, this tent should be just the ticket.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kelty Green River 6 Six Person Tent

Product Description:
A great choice for car camping or use for a basecamp, the Kelty Green River provides a roomy interior for four campers as well as a front screenroom with room enough to store gear or set up chairs for watching the sunset. This tent sleeps up to four campers, offers three-season usage, and a freestanding design that enables you to move it around your campsite to find the optimum position. It also includes large mesh windows for good ventilation, UV resistant polyester fly, and color-coded poles for quick-and-easy setup. Weighing 29 pounds, 5 ounces, the four-person Green River has a 121 square foot floor area, and an 83 square foot vestibule area.
The shockcorded fiberglass poles have color coded clips that make setup a breeze. The tent also offers post and grommet type assembly with locking pole tips for convenience and security. Kelty's ArcEdge construction lifts floor seams up off the ground, preventing water seepage around the floor and wall seams. Other features include a single flashlight loop, mesh interior pockets for gear storage, external guy points for added stability in windy conditions, and noiseless zipper pulls.
Specifications

    Dimensions: 162 x 108 x 79 inches
    Interior height: 6 feet, 7 inches
    Floor area: 121 square feet
    Vestibule area: 83 square feet
    Weight: 29 pounds, 5 ounces
    Seasons: 3
    Doors: 1
    Windows: 2
    Wall material: 68D 190T polyester ripstop
    Floor material: 1800mm PU nylon-taffeta
    Fly material: 75D 190T, 1800mm PU polyester ripstop
    Number of poles: 4


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Kelty Pavilion 6-Person Tent (Navy/Grey) Review

Kelty Pavilion 6-Person TentAppology for my poor English. Been using it for about 50 overnights, in Australia, with my wife and two kids. Had a 3P Sierra Designs before.

Pros:
The tent is large, water proof and quite well built, but that's about it.
Cons:
The mashes can't be covered, so you have to put the fly in order to be protected from sun, rain, wind and having some privacy. The fly requires 6 pegs at least, and since the tent is totally pointless without the fly, it is not a truly free standing tent. This means, too, that when the weather gets cold, you can't limit the air flow, so it gets cold inside, and if you need to build or fold it when its raining, the rain will get in.
Same when the hit is on- as the fly has no windows at all, the day's hit stays inside.
You end up with a tent that requires about 40 minutes to put up and with a poorly inside temp control in all weather conditions.
There is more-
you can't open the fly's door from the inside without bendingunder the fly's angled exit wall, and at morning time this means that you'll get wet and it is almost impossible to put-up the fly over the tent with no 2nd person's help.

There are tents out there that can be built in few minutes (Australian's "black-wolf turbo lite FS"), and that have a close-able windows in the tent's body as well as open-able windows in the fly (many types and brands) so you can control the inner temp much better.

Keep on looking.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kelty Pavilion 6-Person Tent (Navy/Grey)

Product Description:
Offering a highly durable aluminum frame that will withstand the harshest of weather conditions, the Kelty Pavilion provides luxurious sleeping space for six campers as well as a large screened vestibule area with room enough to store gear or set up chairs for watching the sunset. It offers three-season usage, and a freestanding design that enables you to move it around your campsite to find the optimum position. It also includes mesh ceiling and side-wall vents to prevent condensation build-up, UV resistant polyester rain fly, and color-coded poles for quick-and-easy setup. Weighing 26 pounds, this six-person Pavilion has a 121 square foot floor area, and an 83 square foot vestibule area.
The aluminum DAC DA17 poles offer more strength for improved durability and a more wind-resistant pitch. They use a color-coded clip construction that eliminates the hassle of feeding poles through cumbersome tent sleeves--just slide the shock-corded pole sections together and attach the clips. The tent also offers post and grommet type assembly with locking pole tips for convenience and security. Kelty's ArcEdge construction lifts floor seams up off the ground, preventing water seepage around the floor and wall seams. Other features include gear loft loops, mesh interior pockets for gear storage, external guy points for added stability in windy conditions, and noiseless zipper pulls.
Specifications

    Dimensions: 162 x 108 x 79 inches
    Floor area: 121 square feet
    Vestibule area: 83 square feet
    Weight: 26 pounds
    Seasons: 3
    Doors: 1
    Windows: 4
    Wall material: 68D 190T polyester taffeta
    Floor material: 1800mm PU nylon taffeta
    Fly material: 75D 190T, 1800 mm PU polyester taffeta
    Number of poles: 4

About Kelty
Kelty is based in Boulder, Colorado, and uses the natural backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to test, create, and continually innovate within their diverse outdoor product families of Apex, Backcountry, Trail, Basecamp and KIDS gear. Kelty combines the best in new technology with a healthy dose of common sense to create exceptionally made, affordably priced outdoor products.
Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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Sierra Designs Origami 2 Person Ultralight Shelter Review

Sierra Designs Origami 2 Person Ultralight ShelterI have only used this shelter in the field for a two day trip, so that is all I have to go on...

My main attractions to this style of shelter were the weight to space ratio, and to the Origami specifically, the price (I paid $111). I looked at a similar shelter called the Trailstar made by a company called Mountain Laurel Designs, which is lighter (by nearly a pound) but those weight savings are accomplished through a compromise on the ease of entry; the Trailstar must be propped up on one side to get in, versus easy zipper entry. The Trailstar also would have cost me ~$35 dollars more.

I'm too cheap to buy adjustable trekking poles so I was stuck carrying the included adjustable pole, the lightweight ski poles I use are only 45" tall and that just wasn't quite enough to set up the tent properly and have an adequately comfortable space for two people and two dogs (medium sized dogs: Sheltie/Australian Shepherd mix). One thing I have not figured out is whether the listed weight includes the pole; with most tents it usually does, but I'm not sure with this one (I'm too cheap to buy a scale). Setup does take some practice; I have done it 5 times and still have not mastered it. One of those times was out in the backcountry trying to suspend it between two trees. Though it can be done and probably with some practice it can be done well, I did not find this to be a very practical method. If you can master it, it would save some weight and open up that space in the middle (possibly for another person, or just to allow you and your hiking partner to cuddle, if you so desire).

I was somewhat worried about bugs with the open design, but camping at about 8500 feet in central Colorado mid-August, I had no problems. The only other issue I had with the open design was with my dogs. I attached their leashes to the center pole and that was enough to keep them in the tent through the night, but it did not prevent them from a seemingly endless curiosity about what was going on outside the tent, and with just enough space for them to stick their heads out, this was a problem that interfered with sleep. The solution I'm working on is a curtain of no-see-um mesh to hang around the perimeter which will act as a visual deterrent and a little extra bug protection, while maintaining crucial ventilation, and only adding a few ounces of weight.

We did experience some light rain while we had the tent set up between the two trees and though there was no problem with water getting in, there was one point where water managed to gather on the bottom edge of the tent (I could not get the cord I was using (a couple of the included guy lines) taught enough to hold the tent up properly once I staked it out (it will take some practice and perhaps a different type of cord with less elasticity). As far as moisture in the tent, I had no problem with that, leaving about a 2-3 inch gap between the edge and the ground seemed to allow plenty of ventilation and it breathed much better than my last tent (single wall Eureka Zeus 2).

Well, I hope I have covered the important issues. Overall I think this is a good shelter but it really comes down to individual needs/preferences. If you like the security of at least one layer of mesh or sil-nylon between you and nature than this is not the tent for you. It is a good choice if you are trying to transition from heavier fully enclosed tent style to lightweight open floor tarps though. I would not pay the MSRP of $175 or whatever it is, you ought to be able to find it cheaper than that on here or Google shopping, I was not willing to pay more than $125, and I think that is about the most it is worth, otherwise I would pay a little more for something like a Golite Shangri-la 3 or Black Diamond Megalight or something like that. Well, I'm not sure how these reviews work, but if possible feel free to ask me any other questions about the Sierra Designs Origami 2 and hopefully I can help you. I hope this helps you make your decision!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sierra Designs Origami 2 Person Ultralight Shelter

Product Description:
Origami tarps are everything from a full-coverage backpacking shelter to an airy sunshade for a day on the beach. Multiple guy-out and stake-out points allow you to pitch in a variety of configurations to withstand gusty winds and adapt to changing climatic conditions. Designed from five equilateral triangles with a full-length zipper down one seam, any side can be staked at ground level for more coverage, or tied up for easy access or for lots of ventilation.

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Kelty Yellowstone 4 Footprint Review

Kelty Yellowstone 4 FootprintI received the footprint today and was disappointed in the material which is the same as the tent.It does have multiple ways to tie down the footprint, but for the price, it does not deliver the value.I found other footprints made of heavier material at 20% of the cost.The light weight might be an advantage for backpackers.Also there are no instructions as to how the mulitple tie-downs could be used with the tent.The one other advantage is that it fits the footprint of the tent unlike other generic footprints. If I had the oportunity for a do-over, I would not make this purchase.

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Product Description:
The Kelty Yellowstone 4 Footprint is a coated nylon tarp placed underneath your Kelty Yellowstone 4 tent to protect its floor from abrasion and wear. A bit smaller than the tent floor, the Yellowstone 4 Footprint is the perfect size to prevent pooling water during rainy weather.

Product Features

    Material: Nylon taffeta
    Recommended Use: Tent floor protection from abrasion and wear


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MSR Zing Tarp Review

MSR Zing TarpI recently purchased the Zing and also own an MSR Outfitter Wing tarp. The design for both is essentially identical. The Zing is made of lighter weight ripstop material, and that makes it both lighter but also much more compact when stored. The Outfitter Wing is very heavy duty, and the fabric is opaque. That's bound to last longer for commercial users. But the MSR Zing is an excellent compromise between strength and portability. The Zing cloth is translucent, with a pleasant amber color. It's opaque enough to provide useful shade, but transmits enough light to be more cheery on overcast days.

The shape is versatile, relatively easy to pitch, and can be very wind-resistant depending on how you orient it and set up the guylines. Consider getting two additional poles. This tarp sets up really well with four poles providing excellent stand-up head clearance. The concatenary curves allow for smooth tensioning without wrinkles or sags that hold rainwater or flap noisly in the wind.

I was disappointed that the cord guylines provided are not reflectorized. Our Oufitter Wing has reflective cords that are essential to safe navigation around camp after dark. I've had to order reflective cording, and that's a signficant expense to incur on an already expensive product. I'm tempted to downgrade my rating to four stars, but I bought this at a discount from the Amazon warehouse, so I'll be generous.

For accessory poles, I recommend Kelty's Noah's Staff or Noah's poles. The "staff" is not adjustable but these poles are slimmer and lighter in keeping with the Zing's lighter weight. The MSR wing tarps and vastly superior to Kelty's Noah's tarps, so just go for the Kelty poles.

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Product Description:
Bust out the MSR Zing Tarp for epic river trips, mountaineering basecamps, or group backpacking. This ultralight tarp provides 200 square feet of coverage for up to ten paddlers, climbers, or campers. Two tapered poles and the tarp?s inverted wing design give you a tight pitch in high winds, and the lightweight tent fabric protects your group from the scorching sun or pounding rain.

Product Features

    Material: Nylon
    Dimensions: 200sq ft (18.6sq m)
    Packed Size:
    Tie Points: 8
    Pole Included: Yes, 2
    Weight: 6lb 1oz (2.75kg)
    Recommended Use: River trips, basecamp, group backpacking
    Manufacturer Warranty: Lifetime


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Kelty Yellowstone 6 Footprint Review

Kelty Yellowstone 6 FootprintI wouldn't have a tent without a footprint.Well fited, easy to use, cheap protection for the bottom of the tent.Better to ruin this than your tent floor.

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Product Description:
The Kelty Yellowstone 6 Footprint will extend the life of your tent by protecting it from rough and abrasive surfaces. It's almost impossible to avoid pitching your tent on top of at least a few sharp rocks or sticks. The Kelty Footprint is custom fit to your tent so it's easy to use, protects your floor, and adds extra waterproofing.

Product Features

    Material: 1800mm PU coated nylon taffeta
    Recommended Use: For Yellowstone 6 Tent
    Weight: 1lb 4oz
    Warranty: Lifetime


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Kelty Villa 4 Four Person Tent Review

Kelty Villa 4 Four Person TentI was interested in the Kelty Villa as it was one of the less costly family-camping tents with a full rain fly that runs to the ground.I discovered the rain fly design is terrible, it fits poorly at the top such that water could pool, and has far too much tension where you access the tent such that it is very difficult to operate the zippers.It is more likely you will break the zipper teeth leaving you soaked in a storm.

The tent does seem to have good ventilation.It's not my favorite tent in terms of quick setup.It takes too long for one (experienced) person.

In total, I would not recommend this product.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kelty Villa 4 Four Person Tent

Product Description:
Featuring a radical reconfiguration of the traditional dome tent, the Kelty Villa 4 is a great choice for use as a basecamp tent. The three-season, four-person Kelty Villa 4 has a 68 square foot floor area that's complemented by a 14 square foot vestibule area for storing gear and wet, muddy boots and clothing. The tent features extensive mesh at the top as well as four windows and a large D-shaped door for an aerodynamic venting system to regulate temperature and reduce condensation.
Kelty's ArcEdge construction lifts floor seams up off the ground, preventing water seepage around the floor and wall seams. Taped seams on the floor and the rainfly ensure that the tent is protected from moisture and wet weather. Other features include a tall handy organizer wall with a series of bookshelves and pockets keeps everything tidy, internal storage pockets, side-release buckle tent-fly connection, noiseless zipper pulls that resist jingling when it's windy, and color-coded clip construction with DAC DA17 aluminum poles.
The DA17 pre-bent poles are made of proprietary aluminum alloy designed by DAC specifically for tents, which provides a large diameter pole with high stiffness, strength and durability at an affordable price. The clip construction provides great fly separation and increased air movement, and it makes it easier to set-up your tent but offers less strength than full-length sleeves. The clips connecting the poles to the tent are color-coded so set-up is easy and quick in low light conditions.


The Kelty Villa 4 four-person, three-season tent.
Specifications

    Seasons: 3 seasons
    Capacity: 4 person
    Floor area: 68 square feet
    Vestibule area: 14 square feet
    Pole type: 14.5 DAC DA17 aluminum poles
    Number of poles: 4
    Number of doors: 2
    Number of mesh windows: 4
    Wall material: 68D 190T polyester taffeta
    Floor material: 1800mm PU polyester taffeta
    Fly Material: 75D 190T, 1800 mm PU polyester-taffeta
    Dimensions: 120 x 102 x 64 inches (LxWxH)
    Weight (minimum): 14 pounds, 3 ounces
    Weight (packaged): 15 pounds, 5 ounces


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Vargo Titanium Nail Peg w/Cord - 160mm Review

Vargo Titanium Nail Peg w/Cord - 160mmi have several of these pegs and use them for ground pot supports with my alcohol camp stove - but you should be warned that the MSRP listed here for this Vargo titanium nail peg is six times its actual MSRP - why does Amazon allow this?

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Product Description:
The Titanium Nail stake is the strongest tent stake you will need in most any condition. The stakes flat head and sturdy construction allow you to drive it into areas that would normally destroy other stakes. Weight: 14 grams, Length: 6.25"

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Crazy Creek B.A. Tarp Lite (Forest Green) Review

Crazy Creek B.A. Tarp LiteI've camped under my tarp in massive downpours and in temps down to the lows 30's F. it has held up well, hasn't leaked, and survived howling winds. I camp out every month of the year in New England, and have used the tarp for 13 months.
Basically, it works as advertised. I'd like to see more tie down spots on the center line, there are only two, one at each end, while there are multiple tie downs along the edges and at the quarter fold.
It's well made and sturdy, and I recommend it without reservation.

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Product Description:
Crazy Tarps are some of the most useful and versatile pieces of gear ever made.Crazy Creek tarps provide excellent coverage anywhere, anytime that you need to shelter your cook area, gear storage, virtually anything you want to protect from the elements.Lighter than the B.A. Tarp.Waterproof taped seams.Comes complete with guy lines, stakes, seam sealer and stuff sack.20 anchor points.70D coated ripstop nylon.

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Kelty Palisade 4-Person Tent Review

Kelty Palisade 4-Person TentThe Kelty Palasaide was the second tent that I received from Kelty.I had purchased the Kelty Villa 4 this year (2010) and when I set it up I came to find out that is was defective.I called the warranty department at Kelty and they were really great.They had me setup the Villa Tent one additional time and then had me send a photo of the 3 inched of space under the floor.Being that the Villa 4 tent was from 2007 and discontinued they offered the Palisade as replacement.I was sold on the vestibule just from the website.

We are planning a trip next week to Sedona and as a test run we set the tent up in our living room.The main part of the tent went up supper easy - the circular pole was an interesting puzzle to figure out and using my 6 year old daughter as a brace we managed to get the tent up. I can honestly say that I could set up the entire tent by myself.As for the circular pole for the roof, I think a tree, car or anything stationary will work just fine if you are setting it up by yourself.

There are a few issues that I have with the tent....

1. Staking the Tent is a Must - The tent definitely needs to be staked to the ground.We go beach camping Palisade offers great ventilation in 80 degree Arizona evenings - finding a way to stake it in the sand will challenging.

2. Lack of Privacy.The Palisade is basically a bug shield without the rain fly.If you like a little privacy in a big campground you will need to attach the fly.Then you give up the awesome open roof and the star gazing that goes along with it.If you tend to do back country camping then the openness will not matter to much.

3. Pets Can Potentially Damage the Tent - We have a puppy we will be taking on our next camping trip and she already has come into the tent and made herself at home. The thing that concerns me is that if she wants out she can tend to scratch at the door.If she does with this tent the mesh will not last.

The Really positive things about the tent....

1. A BIG stuff sack - When we opened the box we found ample room in the duffle bag to account for non-professional packing.

2. A Star Gazing Roof to die for - My daughter and I laid down in the tent and looked up at the ceiling in our living room and the first thing she said was wow we can sure see a lot of shooting stars in this tent!!!!

3. Super Easy to Setup and Take Down - I could do it myself!

4. Large with Vertical Walls - We like to sleep with big comfy cots and both fit in just nicely.If you wanted a third cot it could get a little tight.Four cots would definably not fit.

5. Vestibule and Rainfly is really cool! - Makes an extra room for you!(For it to work it needs to be staked to the ground!)

6. Great Customer Service - Kelty provides awesome customer support directly out of their Colorado office...

We will report back once we have a chance to test it in the field.

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Product Description:
New for 2010, the Palisade is ready for any adventure. It features double-door convenience with a full vestibule and back 'porch' storage area to keep you and your family organized while enjoying the great outdoors.

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Kelty Nobendium II Tent Stakes Review

Kelty Nobendium II Tent StakesYour tent will most likely include a set of "skewer" stakes. Eventually you may lose some, bend them, break them or tire of always searching for just the right location to put your stake in the ground. The only justifiable reason for Kelty to sell these is because they are better than the cheap ones that come with the tent.

The material will take more pounding, the shaft is thicker and it has sides like a pencil; this makes the stake hold in the ground better and makes it sturdier yet they don't weigh a lot.

Of course, you don't need to rush right out and replace your originals, unless you broke, bent or lost yours. Before any of those bad things happens, you should consider these if you want the best shot at securing your tent to ground under less than ideal conditions.

Best of outdoor life to you.

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Product Description:
Ultralight and super-strong No Bendium stakes help to secure your tent on almost any terrain

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